http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=5569130&nav=9qrxLAS VEGAS State and federal authorities have shut down a Nevada-based business that authorities say scammed people with deceptive mailers suggesting they were sweepstakes prize winners.
The Federal Trade Commission says millions of people nationwide got misleading mail designed to dupe them into believing they would get a substantial cash prize -- but no prizes were awarded.
Some people who sent in 20 dollars got a newsletter drawn from public sources listing other sweepstakes and instructions on how to enter.
Some just got more solicitations for money.
A lawyer for Las Vegas-based
National Prize Information Group and company owner John Rincon says that was a -- quote -- "real and valuable service."
He says customers could get money back if they weren't satisfied -- and that Rincon will fight the charges.
For now, a U-S District Court in Las Vegas has halted operations and frozen the assets and business records of Rincon's companies pending a full court hearing.
